BOS vs LAL matchups discussion

[Carhole]

Series typically come down to one simple fact, which team can get better shots consistently through the (7) games. That is what makes the Celtics so tough in a series, to consistently score on them is usually much harder than it is for them to consistently score on you.

I am not worried about any player matchups as much as I care about us cleaning up on our defensive board. If we do not allow second shots and for that matter Fastbreak points off tunronvers we win this series. If we lose control of our defensive board we are in trouble.

I really believe it is this simple for this series.

[Who]

Side question:

Can anyone provide a list of technicals on each player so far in the playoffs?  We all know Perk is one T away from suspension (and you just know that part of Phil Jackson's strategy is to try to get some offsetting technicals by having Bynum be chippy with Perk).

How about other players?

Perk is the only player in any real trouble with 6 techs.

Garnett + Sheed = 4 techs
Kobe + Rondo = 3 techs

A couple of others with one technical. Nobody with two.

I think Perkins is the only player either team needs to be worried about.

[j804]

I think key is to how well KG and our bigs can keep Pau in check, call me crazy but Pau scares me more than Kobe.

[housecall]

I think key is to how well KG and our bigs can keep Pau in check, call me crazy but Pau scares me more than Kobe.

Agreed...Gasol can create a problem...if KG is not 100%Pau will exploit it.It seemed like KG wasn't 100%in the last few games of the Magic series.I hope he is playing at the top of his game by tipoff time come Thrusday.tp

[slamtheking]

I think key is to how well KG and our bigs can keep Pau in check, call me crazy but Pau scares me more than Kobe.

Agreed...Gasol can create a problem...if KG is not 100%Pau will exploit it.It seemed like KG wasn't 100%in the last few games of the Magic series.I hope he is playing at the top of his game by tipoff time come Thrusday.tp

I agree with that as well.  Gasol in combination with Kobe,  and to a lesser extent Odom, will determine the series.  If C's more-or-less contain Gasol and Odom, they win.  Kobe will get his points but if Gasol and Odom are reined in, Kobe will get those points but by chucking up shots constantly and shooting a low percentage to make up for the other 2 not producing.  The more Kobe shoots, the less everyone else produces which more times than not means the C's will win a 1-on-5 game against Kobe.

[twinbree]

Strong starts, execute on offense, limit turnovers and 48 minute defensive intensity should do the trick.

We have to make defensive rebounding a priority. We can't waste good defensive possessions by allowing easy putbacks.

We have to execute well and not let games come down to a final possession. Their winning odds in those situation have been unbelievable unfair. And we can't let Fisher's man wander off  and leave him wide open.

Kobe could help us out with some chucking at the expense of his teammates. I honestly think he might prefer losing the series rather than lose out on MVP to Gasol. He has been efficient these playoffs which worries me a bit. Seems he's making some tough contested shot or another everytime I look up. I guess he'll get his but we have to keep Gasol and Odom in check.

[LarBrd33]

If the Celtics played how they did in 08 (dominant champions), the start of 09 prior to injuries (best start in NBA history), the start of this year prior to injuries (23-5 with a recuperating KG) and in the playoffs thus far (destroyed the two best regular-season teams in the NBA), the Lakers don't stand a chance.  If they play like that, they aren't just the best team in the NBA, they are in the discussion for being one of the greatest teams ever (certainly defensively).  Despite Kobe's big numbers, this Lakers team is good because they have dominant big men (Pau Gasol's efficiency rating is better than Kobe's in the playoffs and definitely #1 amongst big men).  However, the Lakers are substituting the Suns and Thunder (two teams with literally no interior defense) with a team that has the best interior defense in the league.  Meanwhile, both the Cavs and Magic are better defensive teams than the Lakers and Boston didn't struggle scoring against them.  The Laker's admitted weakness is their ability to stop quick penetrating guards... Not sure how they expect to stop Rondo.   Honestly... I'm more concerned with Boston's health/focus than I am of the Lakers.  If Boston plays like they have been... it's 2008 all over again.  We'll see.

[snively]

If the Celtics played how they did in 08 (dominant champions), the start of 09 prior to injuries (best start in NBA history), the start of this year prior to injuries (23-5 with a recuperating KG) and in the playoffs thus far (destroyed the two best regular-season teams in the NBA), the Lakers don't stand a chance.  If they play like that, they aren't just the best team in the NBA, they are in the discussion for being one of the greatest teams ever (certainly defensively).  Despite Kobe's big numbers, this Lakers team is good because they have dominant big men (Pau Gasol's efficiency rating is better than Kobe's in the playoffs and definitely #1 amongst big men).  However, the Lakers are substituting the Suns and Thunder (two teams with literally no interior defense) with a team that has the best interior defense in the league.  Meanwhile, both the Cavs and Magic are better defensive teams than the Lakers and Boston didn't struggle scoring against them.  The Laker's admitted weakness is their ability to stop quick penetrating guards... Not sure how they expect to stop Rondo.   Honestly... I'm more concerned with Boston's health/focus than I am of the Lakers.  If Boston plays like they have been... it's 2008 all over again.  We'll see.

I wouldn't say the Thunder had no interior defense.  Serge Ibaka was a shot disruptor for them in that series and Nick Collison is a solid defender. Still, Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic were operating at huge disadvantages against Pau Gasol and Bynum and their team defense still gave the Lakers fits, which bodes well for a much more complete Celtics defense.

The Lakers D is pretty good too, though.  They really shut off the Nash/Amare pick and roll options and they've pestered some high octane scorers into pretty miserable series (Deron Williams and Kevin Durant).  Thankfully for us, their primary defensive weaknesses, transition defense and containment of speedy PGs, play right into Rondo's hands.  I believe they will also struggle with Ray, as Kobe is likely to have some Dwyane Wade-itis if he chases Ray and Fisher will have a difficult time contesting his shots.